Crowds of people were forced to wait for hours at some polling stations

International monitors have praised the running of Haiti's general election, as vote-counting gets under way.

The head of the Organisation of American States, Jose Miguel Insulza, said voting was satisfactory despite a chaotic start.

At least three people died and dozens were injured in crushes at polling stations or altercations with police.

It is the first vote since President Jean-Bertrand Aristide was ousted a year ago. Results are due on Friday.

People in Haiti - the poorest country in the Americas - were choosing a new president, as well as a 129-member parliament.

The front-runners are Rene Preval, a former ally of Mr Aristide who is popular with the poor, and Charles Henry Baker, a businessman.

If none of the candidates achieves a 50% majority, the two best-placed candidates will compete in a run-off.

The BBC's Claire Marshall, in Haiti, says the issue now is whether the outcome will be seen as free and fair.

Delays

The chief European observer, Johan Van Hecke, said early logistical problems had been resolved, while the United Nations special envoy, Juan Gabriel Valdes, praised Haitians for turning out in large numbers.

A US government spokesman said Haiti's election appeared "pretty successful" and said the US would work with whoever is elected.

Polls closed several hours later than expected. Voting was extended because some polling stations in the capital, Port-Au-Prince, failed to open on time.